On September 22, 2012, Robert Koga Sensei gave a seminar at the Aikido Institute --the second time he was invited to teach at our dojo.

Koga Sensei was a fascinating man who lived an extraordinary life, from Japanese interment to the military and then a police officer in Los Angeles, California. His bio can be found on this page of the Koga Institute, which he founded to teach effective hand-to-hand skills to law enforcement officers.

In terms of Aikido, Koga Sensei had met and trained with Aikido legend Koichi Tohei Sensei, and adeptly picked up skills in controlling ki. He credited the insights he gained from training with Tohei Sensei with crystallizing his vision for what would become his training methodology. He obtained Tohei Sensei's permission to alter Aikido techniques for military and law enforcement purposes.

Koga Sensei demonstrating a proper choke during his first visit to AI in 2011.

We remember Koga Sensei's humor and good spirit. He had many wonderful and fascinating stories. And he displayed some super effective variations on Aikido techniques, meant to be applied in law enforcement situations.

Koga Sensei shared some ki 'tricks' as well. He demonstrated sinking his center so that he was impossible to pick up. He also demonstrated a way to trick an attacker's mind into tensing the body, to make them more easily throw-able.

We were fortunate to have a chance to meet and train with Koga Sensei. May he rest in peace.

Hitohira Saito Sensei with the Aikido Institute, during a seminar held October 14-15, 2005.

​​In October 2005, Hitohira Saito Sensei was invited to Rohnert Park (SSU), California, to give a seminar. A group of 14 or so students from the Aikido Institute made the trip.

​The Aikido Institute’s KIAI newsletter published Saito Sensei’s message to us at that time:

LETTER FROM HITOHIRA SAITO SENSEI

Dear fellow Aikidoka,

I am honored to be here in the U.S. to train with all of you. I really appreciate the invitation and hard work of the Takemusu Aiki Association and its members.

It is my understanding of the Founder’s teachings that Aikido starts with the acknowledgement of a partner. In daily practice it is impossible to train without a partner. We really need to take this to heart of how important our training partners are.

In the past Iwama was known for the bad habit of blocking others from performing their technique. Possibly this came from the fact that some of the sempai had trained in Judo and transferred a more competitive feeling to their Aikido.

The main concept of Aikido is “world peace”! The first Aikido practice is to acknowledge your partner who is right in front of you, secondly understand proper manners, and thirdly realize moderation. When we understand these three points, then we can really train, “on purpose”.​The Founder said that we should train so that we make continuous progress in our daily practice. It is my understanding that for Aikido to have true power, and influence true peaceful interaction in the world, we must practice Aikido in the light of God. Let’s practice Aikido and let it help you in everything that you do.

On August 6, 2017, our dojo had the honor of hosting Ryuji Sawa Sensei, 7th Dan, visiting from Japan. Sawa Sensei was hosted by Hans Goto Sensei on behalf of the TAA, and our dojo was one of several TAA dojos that he taught at over a span of a week.

Sawa Sensei was a student of the Founder when he was a teenager, and his brother is Shigemi Inagaki Shihan, current head of the Founder's Ibarki dojo (Iwama). It was an awesome experience, as his connection to the source was apparent.

Sawa Sensei with the Founder

The mat was full to capacity, and class was spirited and enjoyable. Sawa Sensei demonstrates clearly and slowly, and overlooks with a smile, stepping in and helping wherever he sees fit.

Dojo member Eddie Guardarramas had this to say about his experience:​His technique was unbelievable. He was so relaxed. He made everything seem so easy. It was all spirals, angles, stance, placement, distance, and he never flexed a muscle. At one point, there I was, doing a technique with my partner and he came up and had me grab his hand. Before I knew it, a circle had formed around us. I was terrified, but he was so relaxed. He just toyed with me. And at one point he threw me and pinned me using just one finger. A fascinating, and inspiring man. So glad I was able to meet him.

We look forward to the chance to train with Sawa Sensei again. Thanks to Goto Sensei and the TAA for bringing him out to California and including our dojo in the tour!

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Aiki Integrated Arts, dba the Aikido Institute, is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization. Our mission is to provide instruction to the public about the art of Aikido and other movement arts, for the benefit of the practitioners and the community at large. All of our instructors teach on a volunteer basis, and proceeds from tuition go directly into fulfilling our mission. For more info, please go here.